Teen charged in Danielle Locklear murder pleads guilty
HOPE MILLS, N.C. (WTVD) -- One of the suspects charged in the 2014 murder of a Hope Mills teen pleaded guilty to upgraded charges Monday morning.
Dominic Lock, 18, previously faced second-degree murder charges in the death of 15-year-old Danielle Locklear. Lock is accused of helping Locklear's ex-boyfriend dispose of her body.
Following his arrest in the days after investigators pulled Locklear's body from the South River, Lock posted bond.
On Monday, Lock turned himself into authorities alongside his attorney and family. He pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, which carries a maximum of eight years in prison.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said Lock will not be sentenced until Je'Michael Malloy's case is resolved. Malloy, 18, admitted to killing Locklear and currently faces second-degree murder charges. He remains in prison.
The upgrade in Lock's charges, based on prosecutors' evidence, suggests Malloy will face a similar upgrade. In court, the D.A.'s office mentioned threatening text messages sent from Malloy to Locklear in the hours leading up to her murder. The evidence cements the legal ground for proving intent, which would support a first-degree murder charge.
Malloy's case is set to go before an upcoming grand jury unless he takes a plea deal. Either could happen as early as next month.
On Monday, Malloy's attorney declined to comment on the case. Lock's public defender Bernie Condlin wouldn't go into detail, but said his client's family is looking forward to moving forward.
"I feel Mr. Lock's case will be handled in such a way that not only is Danielle's family content, but so is Mr. Lock's," said Condlin.
Locklear's family was also present in court Monday. They have long fought an increase in charges for both suspects.
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Locklear's paternal grandmother spoke directly to Lock. She advised him to choose his friends wisely. She also spoke with Lock's family during the hearing. Both sides apologized to one another for what each family had been through.
